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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Michele Clark, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
DATE: November 18, 2025
SUBJECT:
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PURPOSE:
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BACKGROUND:
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DISCUSSION:
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IMPACT STATEMENT:
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
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CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 025-066 Authorizing the 2025 Voluntary Reduction in Force Incentive Plan.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora is facing a large general fund deficit; and
WHEREAS, personnel costs account for approximately 69 percent of the general fund expenditures, and a reduction in force is needed to reduce the deficit; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 025-066 authorizing the 2025 Voluntary Reduction in Force Incentive Plan (“VRIF”); and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2025, the City Council approved Agenda Item 25-0906, modifying the VRIF applicable to the following bargaining units: (1) the Aurora Fire Officers Association (AFOA), (2) Aurora Supervisors Association for the Aurora Police Department (ASA), (3) Aurora Firefighters Association, IAF Local 99 (Local 99), and (4) American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 31, Locals 1514 and 3298; and
WHEREAS, employees have submitted VRIF applications to the City and have requested that the terms of the VRIF be further amended to permit employees who would be eligible to retire, and/or who would complete a year of service under the pension plan in which they participate, if permitted to voluntarily retire after October 31, 2025, be permitted to retire on or before March 3, 2026; and
WHEREAS, various union leadership has expressed support for amendments to the VRIF to permit later separation dates under such circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City, its residents and its employees to amend the VRIFs to permit later separation dates under the circumstances identified herein to further minimize the need for involuntary layoffs, while achieving cost savings and supporting the City’s long-term fiscal stability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Section One: The Voluntary Reduction in Force Incentive Plan (“VRIF”) authorized by Ordinance No. 025-066 on October 14, 2025, as well as the modified versions of the VRIF approved as Item 25-0906 on November 4, 2025, (collectively, the VRIF and its approved modified versions are referred to herein as the “VRIFs”), are hereby amended by amending the VRIFs “Plan Application and Separation Date Calculation” sections, in conformance with Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (with deletions stricken through and additions underlined). All other provisions of the VRIFs shall be in full force and effect.
Section Two: Pursuant to the terms of the VRIFs, as amended, Human Resources is hereby authorized to implement the VRIFs and execute any necessary agreements with employees that have been approved through the VRIFs process.
Section Three: The Mayor, Human Resources, and/or their designees are hereby authorized to negotiate and execute memoranda of understanding with the bargaining units and/or all other documents and agreements necessary to implement and effectuate this Ordinance subject to the review and approval as to form by the City’s Corporation Counsel.
Section Four: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.